medical emergencies
When you have a Medical Emergency, it is always recommended to call 911 immediately. The 911 lines are for emergency calls only, like reporting crimes in progress, reporting a fire or requesting an ambulance. Listed below, in alphabetical order, is information on some health emergencies, Preventative measures, Serious Symptoms, and What to Do. However, the information listed on this page is not a substitution for actual medical advice - When in doubt always call 911 or your doctor.
Allergies
Preventative: The Mayo Clinic lists ways to Allergy Proof Your Home. American Family Care also lists ways to stop allergy attacks before they happen.
Serious Symptoms: The following symptoms are serious according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America: Skin rashes, itching or hives, swelling of the lips, tongue or throat, shortness of breath, trouble breathing or wheezing, dizziness and/or fainting.
What to Do: According to the Mayo Clinic, immediately call 911 or your local medical emergency number. The 911 responders and the hospital may administer Epinephrine via an EpiPen, oxygen and other medications.
Preventative: The Mayo Clinic lists ways to Allergy Proof Your Home. American Family Care also lists ways to stop allergy attacks before they happen.
Serious Symptoms: The following symptoms are serious according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America: Skin rashes, itching or hives, swelling of the lips, tongue or throat, shortness of breath, trouble breathing or wheezing, dizziness and/or fainting.
What to Do: According to the Mayo Clinic, immediately call 911 or your local medical emergency number. The 911 responders and the hospital may administer Epinephrine via an EpiPen, oxygen and other medications.
Brain Injury
Preventative: According to the CDC, there are ways to prevent a brain injury, such as wearing helmets when appropriate, monitoring medicines that could cause dizziness, buckling up in the car, and avoiding alcohol or drug-impaired driving.
Serious Symptoms: A concussion is a traumatic brain injury which can cause the brain to move around in the skull, creating a chemical change in the brain and possibly damaging brain cells. Symptoms include confusion, disorientation, speech difficulties, and physical coordination problems, such as stumbling or clumsiness.
What to Do: If you have any of these danger signs, such as a headache that gets worse and does not go away, experience weakness, numbness, decreased coordination, convulsions, or seizures, vomit repeatedly, at any time, rest and call your doctor immediately. Your doctor may prescribe medications for headache pain or nausea.
Preventative: According to the CDC, there are ways to prevent a brain injury, such as wearing helmets when appropriate, monitoring medicines that could cause dizziness, buckling up in the car, and avoiding alcohol or drug-impaired driving.
Serious Symptoms: A concussion is a traumatic brain injury which can cause the brain to move around in the skull, creating a chemical change in the brain and possibly damaging brain cells. Symptoms include confusion, disorientation, speech difficulties, and physical coordination problems, such as stumbling or clumsiness.
What to Do: If you have any of these danger signs, such as a headache that gets worse and does not go away, experience weakness, numbness, decreased coordination, convulsions, or seizures, vomit repeatedly, at any time, rest and call your doctor immediately. Your doctor may prescribe medications for headache pain or nausea.
Breathing Difficulty
Breathing problems could be the result of many conditions. One of those conditions could be chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD. There are two main types of COPD: emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Most people with COPD experience both, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). Emphysema is a type of COPD.
Preventative: This article lists ways to keep your lungs healthy. If you believe you have COPD, it is important to never start smoking, and if you do smoke, to quit. There is no cure for COPD, but quitting smoking and undergoing treatment can ease symptoms and slow progression of the disease. To possibly prevent Emphysema, besides quitting smoking, it's also important to try to avoid lung irritants such as secondhand smoke, air pollution, chemical fumes, and dust.
Serious Symptoms: According to the American Lung Association if your breathing becomes difficult for no apparent reason or if you feel chest pain or pressure, fainting or nausea with shortness of breath, consider that a medical emergency warranting a 911 call.
What to Do: Consult your doctor if symptoms are not improving or getting worse or you have a fever or change in sputum. Call 911 if you can’t catch your breath or experience blueness of your lips or fingernail beds, a rapid heartbeat or if you feel foggy and have trouble concentrating.
Breathing problems could be the result of many conditions. One of those conditions could be chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD. There are two main types of COPD: emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Most people with COPD experience both, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). Emphysema is a type of COPD.
Preventative: This article lists ways to keep your lungs healthy. If you believe you have COPD, it is important to never start smoking, and if you do smoke, to quit. There is no cure for COPD, but quitting smoking and undergoing treatment can ease symptoms and slow progression of the disease. To possibly prevent Emphysema, besides quitting smoking, it's also important to try to avoid lung irritants such as secondhand smoke, air pollution, chemical fumes, and dust.
Serious Symptoms: According to the American Lung Association if your breathing becomes difficult for no apparent reason or if you feel chest pain or pressure, fainting or nausea with shortness of breath, consider that a medical emergency warranting a 911 call.
What to Do: Consult your doctor if symptoms are not improving or getting worse or you have a fever or change in sputum. Call 911 if you can’t catch your breath or experience blueness of your lips or fingernail beds, a rapid heartbeat or if you feel foggy and have trouble concentrating.
Broken Bones
Preventative: According to NIH, building strong bones is important by following a diet rich in calcium, vitamin D, protein and monitor your sodium intake and getting plenty of exercise.
Serious Symptoms: It is very serious if bone fragments stick out through the skin, called an open fracture, since once the skin is broken, infection can occur.
What to Do: If you have an injury to the head, neck, or back or if a bone is protruding through the skin, or it is the result of a major trauma or injury, call 911 or your local emergency number. Do not move. Do not try pushing a bone back into place and do not wash the wound if a bone is sticking out.
Burns, Serious
Preventative: This article called Burn Safety and Prevention for Older Adults lists many ways to prevent burns.
Serious Symptoms: According to the Mayo Clinic, third-degree burns are the most serious and can be life-threatening, even though first- and second-degree burns are often more painful. This type of burn involves all layers of skin and underlying fat, often affecting the muscle and bone. Third degree burns always warrant a 911 call.
What to Do: The following basic are steps for First Aid for Burns. If you have a serious burn or the first-aid steps do not help, call your doctor, go to the hospital or call 911 or your local emergency number.
Preventative: This article called Burn Safety and Prevention for Older Adults lists many ways to prevent burns.
Serious Symptoms: According to the Mayo Clinic, third-degree burns are the most serious and can be life-threatening, even though first- and second-degree burns are often more painful. This type of burn involves all layers of skin and underlying fat, often affecting the muscle and bone. Third degree burns always warrant a 911 call.
What to Do: The following basic are steps for First Aid for Burns. If you have a serious burn or the first-aid steps do not help, call your doctor, go to the hospital or call 911 or your local emergency number.
Chest Pains
Preventative: According to the Cleveland Clinic, chest pains can often be prevented by a change in lifestyle that includes a healthy diet, controlling high blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol and not smoking.
Serious Symptoms: Important that you call 911 if you experience sudden, crushing chest pain or if your chest pain radiates into the jaw or the left arm, or if the chest pain causes shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea or vomiting.
What to Do: Chest pains can be serious. They may be related to the heart, the muscles, digestive system, anxiety or other psychological factors. For anxiety chest pain, you can practice deep breathing, use a relaxation app and see a therapist or doctor for treatment. However, If you are not sure why you are having chest pains, it is best to call 911 since it could be serious.
Preventative: According to the Cleveland Clinic, chest pains can often be prevented by a change in lifestyle that includes a healthy diet, controlling high blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol and not smoking.
Serious Symptoms: Important that you call 911 if you experience sudden, crushing chest pain or if your chest pain radiates into the jaw or the left arm, or if the chest pain causes shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea or vomiting.
What to Do: Chest pains can be serious. They may be related to the heart, the muscles, digestive system, anxiety or other psychological factors. For anxiety chest pain, you can practice deep breathing, use a relaxation app and see a therapist or doctor for treatment. However, If you are not sure why you are having chest pains, it is best to call 911 since it could be serious.
Choking
Preventative: According to John Hopkins Medicine, you can prevent choking by cutting food into small pieces, chewing food slowly and thoroughly, especially if wearing dentures, don’t laugh or talk while chewing and swallowing, and not drinking a lot of alcohol before and during meals.
Serious Symptoms: Choking is serious when person clutches throat, they are not able to speak, breathe, swallow, are coughing, wheezing or gagging, or you notice they have blue lips or a red face.
What to Do: If you or someone else is choking, these videos show how to do the Heimlich Maneuver - approximately 70-86% of choking victims recovered after receiving the Heimlich maneuver.
If SOMEONE ELSE is chocking:
Preventative: According to John Hopkins Medicine, you can prevent choking by cutting food into small pieces, chewing food slowly and thoroughly, especially if wearing dentures, don’t laugh or talk while chewing and swallowing, and not drinking a lot of alcohol before and during meals.
Serious Symptoms: Choking is serious when person clutches throat, they are not able to speak, breathe, swallow, are coughing, wheezing or gagging, or you notice they have blue lips or a red face.
What to Do: If you or someone else is choking, these videos show how to do the Heimlich Maneuver - approximately 70-86% of choking victims recovered after receiving the Heimlich maneuver.
If SOMEONE ELSE is chocking:
If YOU are chocking:
COVID-19
Preventative: Wear masks or respirators, avoid crowded or poorly ventilated indoor areas, keep distance of at least 6 feet from other people, practice hand hygiene, cover your mouth and nose with a bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze and get vaccinated to stay up to date with booster doses.
Serious Symptoms: The CDC reports that serious COVID symptoms include trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, confusion, inability to wake or stay awake and pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips or ail beds. If you have any of these signs, it’s important to call 911 or your local emergency facility.
What to Do: If you believe you have symptoms of COVID, you should test immediately. If you do not have symptoms, wait 5 full days after you believe you were exposed. For guidance on using tests to determine which mitigations are recommended as you recover from COVID-19, go to Isolation and Precautions for People with COVID-19.
Epileptic Seizure
Preventative: To prevent epileptic seizures, the Neurology Center for Epilepsy and Seizures recommends taking all medicine prescribed, get enough sleep, eat regular meals, avoid alcohol and drugs, exercise, pay attention to high fevers, avoid flashing lights and consult a good neurologist.
Serious Symptoms: If seizures can’t be stopped or repeated seizures occur that last longer than 5 minutes, it is important to call 911 since permanent injury or death could occur.
What to Do: According to the CDC, if someone is having an epileptic seizure, do not hold the person down to try to stop their movement; do not put anything in their mouth, do not try to give mouth-to-mouth breaths (CPR) and do not offer the person water or food until he or she is fully alert. Once fully alert, help the person sit in a safe place and calmly communicate what happened.
Preventative: To prevent epileptic seizures, the Neurology Center for Epilepsy and Seizures recommends taking all medicine prescribed, get enough sleep, eat regular meals, avoid alcohol and drugs, exercise, pay attention to high fevers, avoid flashing lights and consult a good neurologist.
Serious Symptoms: If seizures can’t be stopped or repeated seizures occur that last longer than 5 minutes, it is important to call 911 since permanent injury or death could occur.
What to Do: According to the CDC, if someone is having an epileptic seizure, do not hold the person down to try to stop their movement; do not put anything in their mouth, do not try to give mouth-to-mouth breaths (CPR) and do not offer the person water or food until he or she is fully alert. Once fully alert, help the person sit in a safe place and calmly communicate what happened.
Fainting
Preventative: You can prevent fainting by lying down elevating your legs to above hip level, sitting down with your head lowered forward between your knees, staying hydrated by drinking at least 85 ounces of water per day, keeping your blood flowing by taking slow, deep breaths, and avoiding overheated, cramped, or stuffy environments. Sharp lists ways to prevent fainting before it happens.
Serious Symptoms: Fainting symptoms are serious if they include an irregular heartbeat, chest pain, shortness of breath, blurred vision, confusion, trouble talking, fainting when turning the head or fainting more than once a month.
What to Do: If someone faints, position the person on his or her back and elevate the legs above the heart, if possible. Check for signs of breathing. Loosen belts or restrictive clothing. If the person doesn't regain consciousness within a minute, it is an emergency so you should call 911.
Preventative: You can prevent fainting by lying down elevating your legs to above hip level, sitting down with your head lowered forward between your knees, staying hydrated by drinking at least 85 ounces of water per day, keeping your blood flowing by taking slow, deep breaths, and avoiding overheated, cramped, or stuffy environments. Sharp lists ways to prevent fainting before it happens.
Serious Symptoms: Fainting symptoms are serious if they include an irregular heartbeat, chest pain, shortness of breath, blurred vision, confusion, trouble talking, fainting when turning the head or fainting more than once a month.
What to Do: If someone faints, position the person on his or her back and elevate the legs above the heart, if possible. Check for signs of breathing. Loosen belts or restrictive clothing. If the person doesn't regain consciousness within a minute, it is an emergency so you should call 911.
Falls
Preventative: According to the National Institute on Aging, falls often can be prevented by staying physically active, doing balance and strength training exercises, fall-proofing your home, having eyes and hearing tested, getting enough sleep, avoiding or limiting alcohol and standing up slowly.
Serious Symptoms: The most damaging broken bone injuries due from falls include broken ribs, broken sternum, broken back, broken neck, and broken pelvis. Head injuries are a medical emergency, requiring calling 911, since there could be swelling, sometimes bleeding and a possible concussion resulting in a brief loss of consciousness.
What to Do: If you do fall, a Medical Alert System can notify an Emergency Call Center about your fall immediately. After a fall, the RICE approach can be followed, which includes rest, ice, compression, and elevation of the injured part of the body. Also take over-the-counter pain relievers and anti inflammatory medications followed by physical therapy if needed. Depending on the injury, recovery can take from 2-3 weeks to several months.
Preventative: According to the National Institute on Aging, falls often can be prevented by staying physically active, doing balance and strength training exercises, fall-proofing your home, having eyes and hearing tested, getting enough sleep, avoiding or limiting alcohol and standing up slowly.
Serious Symptoms: The most damaging broken bone injuries due from falls include broken ribs, broken sternum, broken back, broken neck, and broken pelvis. Head injuries are a medical emergency, requiring calling 911, since there could be swelling, sometimes bleeding and a possible concussion resulting in a brief loss of consciousness.
What to Do: If you do fall, a Medical Alert System can notify an Emergency Call Center about your fall immediately. After a fall, the RICE approach can be followed, which includes rest, ice, compression, and elevation of the injured part of the body. Also take over-the-counter pain relievers and anti inflammatory medications followed by physical therapy if needed. Depending on the injury, recovery can take from 2-3 weeks to several months.
Fever, High 100.4+
Preventative: Drinking fluids and resting in bed are usually enough to fight off a fever. In addition, you may take a regular bath or sponge bath using lukewarm water and take acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil). However, always be aware that taking these pain relief pills long-term can cause side effects.
Serious Symptoms: According to the Mayo Clinic, call your health care provider if your temperature is 103F or higher, have a severe fever and/or other symptoms.
What to Do: If you have a high fever and other unusual symptoms like a severe headache, stiff neck, shortness of breath, call your doctor. If uncomfortable and recommended by your doctor, you may take acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or aspirin as directed on the label or per your doctor’s instructions.
Preventative: Drinking fluids and resting in bed are usually enough to fight off a fever. In addition, you may take a regular bath or sponge bath using lukewarm water and take acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil). However, always be aware that taking these pain relief pills long-term can cause side effects.
Serious Symptoms: According to the Mayo Clinic, call your health care provider if your temperature is 103F or higher, have a severe fever and/or other symptoms.
What to Do: If you have a high fever and other unusual symptoms like a severe headache, stiff neck, shortness of breath, call your doctor. If uncomfortable and recommended by your doctor, you may take acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or aspirin as directed on the label or per your doctor’s instructions.
Food Poisoning
Preventative: According to CDC, always wash your hands, fruits and vegetables; clean work surfaces before and after preparing food; separate raw meats/poultry/seafood/eggs from ready-to-eat foods; cook foods thoroughly, and chill foods immediately after serving.
Serious Symptoms: Common symptoms of food poisoning are diarrhea, stomach pain or cramps, nausea, vomiting and fever. However, if you have the following severe symptoms, contact your doctor immediately: bloody diarrhea, diarrhea that lasts more than 3 days, high fever over 102 degrees, vomiting and not keeping liquids down, not urinating, dry mouth, throat, and feeling dizzy while standing.
What to Do: If you suspect food poisoning, according to the National Capital Poison Control, you should drink a lot of fluids to prevent dehydration. If you can’t hold fluids down, call your health care provider immediately. If symptoms don’t go away in a couple days and you experience any of the serious symptoms above, call your doctor for further testing and treatment.
Preventative: According to CDC, always wash your hands, fruits and vegetables; clean work surfaces before and after preparing food; separate raw meats/poultry/seafood/eggs from ready-to-eat foods; cook foods thoroughly, and chill foods immediately after serving.
Serious Symptoms: Common symptoms of food poisoning are diarrhea, stomach pain or cramps, nausea, vomiting and fever. However, if you have the following severe symptoms, contact your doctor immediately: bloody diarrhea, diarrhea that lasts more than 3 days, high fever over 102 degrees, vomiting and not keeping liquids down, not urinating, dry mouth, throat, and feeling dizzy while standing.
What to Do: If you suspect food poisoning, according to the National Capital Poison Control, you should drink a lot of fluids to prevent dehydration. If you can’t hold fluids down, call your health care provider immediately. If symptoms don’t go away in a couple days and you experience any of the serious symptoms above, call your doctor for further testing and treatment.
Heart Attack
Preventative: According to the American Heart Association, there are 8 things you can do to prevent heart disease.
Serious Symptoms: Heart attack symptoms can include the following according to Verywellhealth.com. The American Heart Association reports that women, however, may have similar symptoms like men but also may have different symptoms like back or jaw pain, dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, shortness of breath, or nausea/vomiting.
What to Do: According to Medical News Today, call 911 even if you are not sure, take an aspirin, take prescribed chest pain medication, open the door, sit or lie down in a restful position, and loosen clothing to help breathing.
Preventative: According to the American Heart Association, there are 8 things you can do to prevent heart disease.
Serious Symptoms: Heart attack symptoms can include the following according to Verywellhealth.com. The American Heart Association reports that women, however, may have similar symptoms like men but also may have different symptoms like back or jaw pain, dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, shortness of breath, or nausea/vomiting.
What to Do: According to Medical News Today, call 911 even if you are not sure, take an aspirin, take prescribed chest pain medication, open the door, sit or lie down in a restful position, and loosen clothing to help breathing.
Insect Stings
Preventative: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, lists ways to prevent insect stings before they happen.
Serious Reactions: Mayo Clinic recommends calling 911 if stung by a scorpion or if there are one or two symptoms, like trouble breathing or swelling of the lips, face, eyelids or throat or severe allergic reaction.
What to Do: General first aid for mild reactions to insect stings is listed on this Mayo Clinic link.
Preventative: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, lists ways to prevent insect stings before they happen.
Serious Reactions: Mayo Clinic recommends calling 911 if stung by a scorpion or if there are one or two symptoms, like trouble breathing or swelling of the lips, face, eyelids or throat or severe allergic reaction.
What to Do: General first aid for mild reactions to insect stings is listed on this Mayo Clinic link.
Mental Health Crisis
Preventative: If you have mental health issues, find a reputable psychiatrist to discuss your mental health plan accompanied with medicines if required. When having a mental health crisis, call a friend or family member and ask him or her to stay with you for a while. Support groups are helpful and If needed, call a counselor, psychiatrist or the National Suicide Prevention Hotline 800-273-8255 24/7 to get advice.
Serious Symptoms: The KVC Health Systems states that a mental health crisis may include any of the following symptoms: unable to complete daily personal tasks, saying or writing suicidal thoughts, withdrawing from friends/family, showing reckless or aggressive behavior or having dramatic shifts in mood, sleeping or eating patterns.
What to Do: When you are with a person who is having a mental health crisis the Good Rx Health states the following guidelines: Create a calm and safe environment, listen with empathy and without interruption, offer help and support, connect them with a support group if appropriate, and encourage treatment if necessary.
Preventative: If you have mental health issues, find a reputable psychiatrist to discuss your mental health plan accompanied with medicines if required. When having a mental health crisis, call a friend or family member and ask him or her to stay with you for a while. Support groups are helpful and If needed, call a counselor, psychiatrist or the National Suicide Prevention Hotline 800-273-8255 24/7 to get advice.
Serious Symptoms: The KVC Health Systems states that a mental health crisis may include any of the following symptoms: unable to complete daily personal tasks, saying or writing suicidal thoughts, withdrawing from friends/family, showing reckless or aggressive behavior or having dramatic shifts in mood, sleeping or eating patterns.
What to Do: When you are with a person who is having a mental health crisis the Good Rx Health states the following guidelines: Create a calm and safe environment, listen with empathy and without interruption, offer help and support, connect them with a support group if appropriate, and encourage treatment if necessary.
Overdose
Preventative: The National Library of Medicine states that there are several risks when taking multiple medicines resulting in serious side effects. Keep a list of all the medicines and supplements you are taking, keep that list with you and give a copy to your doctor. Take medicines exactly as directed by your physician, being aware of any possible interactions. Do not skip doses or stop taking medicines unless recommended by your doctor.
Serious Symptoms: Safeproject.us lists the symptoms of an overdose. If you think you've taken too much of any OTC pain reliever, call your doctor or seek medical help right away. Signs and symptoms may not be noticeable right away. Symptoms of an overdose include nausea or vomiting.
What to Do: If you or someone else has an overdose, call 988 which is the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or 911
immediately. Safeproject.us lists What to Do and What NOT to Do.
Preventative: The National Library of Medicine states that there are several risks when taking multiple medicines resulting in serious side effects. Keep a list of all the medicines and supplements you are taking, keep that list with you and give a copy to your doctor. Take medicines exactly as directed by your physician, being aware of any possible interactions. Do not skip doses or stop taking medicines unless recommended by your doctor.
Serious Symptoms: Safeproject.us lists the symptoms of an overdose. If you think you've taken too much of any OTC pain reliever, call your doctor or seek medical help right away. Signs and symptoms may not be noticeable right away. Symptoms of an overdose include nausea or vomiting.
What to Do: If you or someone else has an overdose, call 988 which is the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or 911
immediately. Safeproject.us lists What to Do and What NOT to Do.
Panic Attack:
Preventative: These following steps can help to prevent a panic attack per NHS: Practice daily breathing exercises, exercise regularly - especially aerobic, eat regular meals, avoid caffeine, alcohol and smoking which make panic attacks worse, join a panic support group or try cognitive behavioral therapy.
Serious Symptoms: A panic attack is frightening, due to anxiety, and can last between 5 minutes to a half hour but it will pass without anything harmful happening – it isn’t a heart attack. Some of the symptoms can include shaking, feeling disoriented, nausea, rapid, irregular heartbeats, dry mouth, breathlessness, sweating and dizziness.
What to Do: Ride out the attack by continuing to do the same things as beforehand. Close your eyes and start breathing in slowly, deeply and gently through your nose and out through your mouth, counting from 1-5 on each in and out breath.
Preventative: These following steps can help to prevent a panic attack per NHS: Practice daily breathing exercises, exercise regularly - especially aerobic, eat regular meals, avoid caffeine, alcohol and smoking which make panic attacks worse, join a panic support group or try cognitive behavioral therapy.
Serious Symptoms: A panic attack is frightening, due to anxiety, and can last between 5 minutes to a half hour but it will pass without anything harmful happening – it isn’t a heart attack. Some of the symptoms can include shaking, feeling disoriented, nausea, rapid, irregular heartbeats, dry mouth, breathlessness, sweating and dizziness.
What to Do: Ride out the attack by continuing to do the same things as beforehand. Close your eyes and start breathing in slowly, deeply and gently through your nose and out through your mouth, counting from 1-5 on each in and out breath.
Stroke
Preventative: A stroke occurs because of a sudden interruption of blood flow in your brain. The CDC states the ways to prevent a stroke is to eat healthy foods, snacks and drinks, maintain a healthy weight, get regular exercise, don’t smoke, limit alcohol, check cholesterol, control blood pressure, control diabetes, and take prescribed medicine if you have heart disease.
Serious Symptoms: According to the CDC, serious stroke symptoms include sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg on one side of the body, sudden confusion, trouble speaking or difficulty understanding speech, vision problems, trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or lack of coordination.
What to Do: If someone else is having a stroke, Penn Medicine recommends that you call 911 immediately (don’t drive them or yourself to the emergency room), check the time when symptoms started, perform CPR if needed, make sure person doesn’t go to sleep, and don’t give them any medication, food or drinks.
Preventative: A stroke occurs because of a sudden interruption of blood flow in your brain. The CDC states the ways to prevent a stroke is to eat healthy foods, snacks and drinks, maintain a healthy weight, get regular exercise, don’t smoke, limit alcohol, check cholesterol, control blood pressure, control diabetes, and take prescribed medicine if you have heart disease.
Serious Symptoms: According to the CDC, serious stroke symptoms include sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg on one side of the body, sudden confusion, trouble speaking or difficulty understanding speech, vision problems, trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or lack of coordination.
What to Do: If someone else is having a stroke, Penn Medicine recommends that you call 911 immediately (don’t drive them or yourself to the emergency room), check the time when symptoms started, perform CPR if needed, make sure person doesn’t go to sleep, and don’t give them any medication, food or drinks.
Tooth Infection
Preventative: The Mayo Clinic states to prevent tooth decay and abscess, you should drink fluoride water, brush teeth for 2 minutes twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, use dental floss, replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months when bristles are frayed, eat healthy foods and limit non-sugary items, visit your dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings, and use an antiseptic or fluoride mouth rinse for extra protection.
Serious Symptoms: Some serious symptoms of a tooth abscess per the Mayo Clinic include experiencing a severe throbbing toothache that could spread to your jawbone, neck or ear, discomfort with hot or cold temperatures, pain from chewing or biting pressure, fever, face, cheek or neck swelling, foul odor or foul salty fluid caused by abscess rupture in your mouth.
What to Do: If you have a fever and swelling in your face and you can't reach your dentist, go to an emergency room. Also go to the emergency room if you have trouble breathing or swallowing. These symptoms may indicate that the infection has spread deeper into your jaw, throat or neck or even to other areas of your body.
Preventative: The Mayo Clinic states to prevent tooth decay and abscess, you should drink fluoride water, brush teeth for 2 minutes twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, use dental floss, replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months when bristles are frayed, eat healthy foods and limit non-sugary items, visit your dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings, and use an antiseptic or fluoride mouth rinse for extra protection.
Serious Symptoms: Some serious symptoms of a tooth abscess per the Mayo Clinic include experiencing a severe throbbing toothache that could spread to your jawbone, neck or ear, discomfort with hot or cold temperatures, pain from chewing or biting pressure, fever, face, cheek or neck swelling, foul odor or foul salty fluid caused by abscess rupture in your mouth.
What to Do: If you have a fever and swelling in your face and you can't reach your dentist, go to an emergency room. Also go to the emergency room if you have trouble breathing or swallowing. These symptoms may indicate that the infection has spread deeper into your jaw, throat or neck or even to other areas of your body.
Vision Problems
Preventative: The American Optometric Association states that adding powerful antioxidants to your diet can improve eye health. Eye-friendly nutrients, such as Lutein and Zeaxanthin, Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Zinc, can reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration and cataracts. Antioxidants are found in green leafy vegetables, fruits, nuts and many other foods. The Mayo Clinic also lists a healthy diet for eye health. They also recommend having yearly eye exams, stopping smoking, reducing alcohol intake, managing diabetes, and wearing UV protection sunglasses. For dry eyes, according to the National Eye Institute try to avoid smoke, wind, and air conditioning and use a humidifier to keep air moist in your home.
It’s important to limit screen time with smartphones, tablets and computers since long exposure can cause eye strain, blurry vision and dry eyes. To reduce eye strain and dry eyes, when using the above electronic items, follow the 20-20-20 rule – every 20 minutes look away about 20 feet in front of you for 20 seconds. According to the CDC, many common eye diseases, such as glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, and age-related macular degeneration, show no warning signs but can be detected by your eye doctor before they worsen.
Serious Symptoms: Severe eye pain or irritation, vision loss or double vision, eye floaters, flashes or light or halos around lights, severe headache, nausea or vomiting, numbness, or weakness on one side of the body or confusion, dizziness or trouble talking. The Mayo Clinic offers a checklist of possible causes of vision problems.
What to Do: Call your ophthalmologist or 911 if you have severe eye pain or irritation, vision loss, double vision, or an injury to your eye, retinal hemorrhages, tears or detachment, macular bleeding, retinal vascular occlusion optic nerve problems. If there are things you can do before meeting with emergency care, they will instruct you how to proceed.
Preventative: The American Optometric Association states that adding powerful antioxidants to your diet can improve eye health. Eye-friendly nutrients, such as Lutein and Zeaxanthin, Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Zinc, can reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration and cataracts. Antioxidants are found in green leafy vegetables, fruits, nuts and many other foods. The Mayo Clinic also lists a healthy diet for eye health. They also recommend having yearly eye exams, stopping smoking, reducing alcohol intake, managing diabetes, and wearing UV protection sunglasses. For dry eyes, according to the National Eye Institute try to avoid smoke, wind, and air conditioning and use a humidifier to keep air moist in your home.
It’s important to limit screen time with smartphones, tablets and computers since long exposure can cause eye strain, blurry vision and dry eyes. To reduce eye strain and dry eyes, when using the above electronic items, follow the 20-20-20 rule – every 20 minutes look away about 20 feet in front of you for 20 seconds. According to the CDC, many common eye diseases, such as glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, and age-related macular degeneration, show no warning signs but can be detected by your eye doctor before they worsen.
Serious Symptoms: Severe eye pain or irritation, vision loss or double vision, eye floaters, flashes or light or halos around lights, severe headache, nausea or vomiting, numbness, or weakness on one side of the body or confusion, dizziness or trouble talking. The Mayo Clinic offers a checklist of possible causes of vision problems.
What to Do: Call your ophthalmologist or 911 if you have severe eye pain or irritation, vision loss, double vision, or an injury to your eye, retinal hemorrhages, tears or detachment, macular bleeding, retinal vascular occlusion optic nerve problems. If there are things you can do before meeting with emergency care, they will instruct you how to proceed.
Vomiting, Severe
Preventative: The Cleveland Clinic states that vomiting can be prevented by consuming small amounts of clear, sweetened liquid like soda, fruit juices (not orange and grapefruit) and popsicles. Drinks with sugar calm the stomach as well as resting in a sitting or propped-up position. They also list ways to control nausea and treat vomiting.
Serious Symptoms: The Mayo Clinic states calling 911 if nausea and vomiting are accompanied with other warning signs like chest pain, severe abdominal pain or blurred vision.
What to Do: If you have been vomiting for more than 1-2 days, you can’t keep down fluids, and have severe dehydration causing confusion, a rapid heartbeat, sunken eyes and passing very little urine, the NHS, recommends calling your general practitioner. However, if your symptoms are serious, as per above, call 911.
Preventative: The Cleveland Clinic states that vomiting can be prevented by consuming small amounts of clear, sweetened liquid like soda, fruit juices (not orange and grapefruit) and popsicles. Drinks with sugar calm the stomach as well as resting in a sitting or propped-up position. They also list ways to control nausea and treat vomiting.
Serious Symptoms: The Mayo Clinic states calling 911 if nausea and vomiting are accompanied with other warning signs like chest pain, severe abdominal pain or blurred vision.
What to Do: If you have been vomiting for more than 1-2 days, you can’t keep down fluids, and have severe dehydration causing confusion, a rapid heartbeat, sunken eyes and passing very little urine, the NHS, recommends calling your general practitioner. However, if your symptoms are serious, as per above, call 911.